Nagpur: Youth arrested for snatching bus conductor's ticket machine over Rs 4 balance

Police have arrested a youth in Nagpur's Gittikhadan police station area for snatching the ticketing machine from a woman bus conductor's hand and running away. The action was taken by Nagpur Crime Branch Unit-2. According to police, the dispute began over a balance of just Rs 4.

The accused has been identified as Prem alias Dadu Patil, 20, a resident of Bhiwsankhori in Chintaman Nagar. Police have recovered the ticket machine, which is valued at around Rs 10,000. He has been handed over to Gittikhadan police for further action.

Police said the incident took place on the afternoon of October 21 at the Adivasi Narmada Colony bus stop on Katol Road. Sneha Khirdkar, 27, is a conductor on an 'Aapli Bus'. Her bus, number MH-40-DC-0464, was travelling from Brahmani Phata towards Sitabuldi at the time.

A youth boarded the bus to go to Naveen Katol Naka and gave Rs 20 for the ticket. The conductor issued him a ticket of Rs 16. She did not have change for the remaining Rs 4 and said the money would be returned later. The youth is said to have become angry over this.

As the woman conductor opened the bus door at the Narmada Colony stop to let passengers alight, the youth snatched the ticket machine from her hand, got off and ran away.

After the incident, Sneha Khirdkar lodged a complaint at Gittikhadan police station, and police began an investigation.

During the probe, a team of Crime Branch Unit-2 examined CCTV footage. With its help, the accused was identified and arrested. Police also recovered the snatched ticket machine.

The accused is currently in the custody of Gittikhadan police for further action, and Gittikhadan police are continuing the investigation.